WILLIAM “Bill” SCHROEDER

William “Bill” Schroeder, age 84, of Batavia, IL, passed away quietly on August 14, 2022, and now resides beside his Heavenly Father in Heaven. 

He was born May 13, 1938, in Aurora, IL, to loving parents, Harry and Eleanor Schroeder.

Bill grew up in Batavia, IL, and attended local schools. He graduated from Batavia High School before receiving bachelor degrees in physics and mathematics at the University of Illinois.

After graduation, Bill was recruited to Bell Labs in Naperville where he worked as a computer and communication engineer. Later when it changed to AT&T, he continued his work until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement from AT&T, he enjoyed teaching computer classes at Waubonsee Community College.

Bill had an archeologist’s heart, which could boast of an impressive arrowhead collection, but he also had a mind for Astronomy. The history he learned through archeology taught him what came before, while astronomy gave him a glimpse of the future. Bill loved to be outdoors and took advantage of every opportunity regardless of the season; camping, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and golfing rounded out his many varied activities. Eagle River, WI was a haven for Bill and the simple peace he received while sitting on the dock lakeside filled his soul with gratitude and appreciation. Bill was present for many leaps in computers and communication technology, and he mastered every single one, even into his last years. In fact, many a pleasurable hour was spent sitting in front of a computer while he tinkered, fixing whatever was wrong. He dabbled in investing, along with his brother Fritz, and they even started their own company. Bill was a “foodie” before being one was cool. His eclectic pallet enjoyed many flavors and was at its most joyous when he traveled to Suita, Osaka, Japan with his brother, Fritz, to attend the World’s Fair in 1970. If Bill’s heart raced when he saw an old Scout off-road vehicle made popular by International Harvester, it definitely skipped a beat when rooting for his beloved Cubs and Blackhawks. Bill also liked to take in a softball game or two and even more so when he got a chance to take the field. He was gentle man with a generous and gracious heart, and even though there was a large age gap between he and his younger sisters, he doted on them constantly throughout the years.

He now leaves two sisters, Maxine (Buck) Herra and Diane (Larry) Wallace; one sister-in-law, Lori Schroeder; several cousins, including Janet Knolhoff along with many nieces, nephews and a family of friends.

Bill now joins his parents, Harry and Eleanor Schroeder; one brother, Frederick “Fritz” Schroeder; sisters, Lynn Johnson, Barbara Sandquist and his nephew, Scott Doane who preceded him in death.

Following cremation there will be a visitation on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, from 6-8 p.m. Private family services and burial will be held in Eagle River, WI at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Trees For Tomorrow, 519 East Sheridan St., P.O. Box 609, Eagle River, WI 54521 or www.treesfortomorrow.com.  Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Following cremation there will be a visitation on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, from 6-8 p.m. Private family services and burial will be held in Eagle River, WI at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Trees For Tomorrow, 519 East Sheridan St., P.O. Box 609, Eagle River, WI 54521 or www.treesfortomorrow.com. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.